Overcliff-Undercliff Track

Following the edge of the cliffs south of Wentworth Falls, this great walk features fantastic views of the cliffs and Jamison Valley. The walk visits some great lookouts, sandstone caves and the majestic Wentworth Falls. The Falls Picnic Area and Conservation Hut both make good spots to take a break. Make sure you duck your head passing through the caves on the Undercliff Track.

Conservation Hut

Conservation Hut is a small cafe perched above the Valley of the Waters, Blue Mountains National Park. The hut was opened in 1963 as a meeting place for the local conservation movement. Rebuilt, Conservation Hut opened as a cafe in 1993, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days a week. Around the Conservation Hut is a small parking area, public toilets, picnic shelters, town water and B&B’s. For further information or bookings call (02) 4757 3827. More info.

Easy track

From Conservation Hut, this walk follows the ‘Valley of the Waters’ sign down some timber and dirt steps passing a couple of picnic shelters. The track soon leads to the signposted intersection with the ‘Short Cut Track’ (still in view of the Conservation Hut).

(0.04km) Int of Valley of the Waters Track and Shortcut Track → Int of Valley of the Waters and Overcliff Tracks

170 m

4 mins

2m

-27m

Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Valley of the Waters’ sign down the steps, passing an information sign. After the handrail and more signs, the track passes a couple of faint tracks (on the left, leading to an old picnic area). Further down the steps, the walk comes the end of another handrail and a three-way intersection (signposted ‘Overcliff Track’ and ‘National Pass’).

(0.21km) Int of Valley of the Waters and Overcliff Tracks → Int of Lyrebird Cliff Track and Overcliff Tracks

160 m

4 mins

1m

-23m

Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads south-east along the flat, but occasionally rough, track. This goes down slightly, coming to an unmarked intersection with another bush track.

Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads east gently downhill, keeping the valley view to the right. After crossing a section of track that is often muddy, the walk comes to a handrail that leads to the signposted ‘Lyrebird Lookout’.

Lyrebird Lookout

Lyrebird Lookout is a fenced and signposted lookout on the Overcliff Walk, south of the Conservation Hut in the Blue Mountains National Park. The lookout hosts a great view of Sublime Point (right) and Mount Solitary (centre). A welcome gap in the trees reveals this great view.

(0.43km) Lyrebird Lookout → Breakfast Point Lookout

640 m

21 mins

78m

-75m

Moderate track

Continue straight: From Lyrebird Lookout, this walk heads up the hill away from the lookout and follows the right-hand track. Soon the track passes a section that is often muddy and then moves into the thicker bushland. The track soon passes an informal track (on the right) then heads down a set of steps with a handrail. The walk follows a large rock wall (on the left) for a short time before passing another informal track (on the right). Soon the track comes to a three-way intersection at the unsignposted Breakfast Point Lookout.

Breakfast Point Lookout

Breakfast Point Lookout is on the Overcliff Walk, west of Den Fenella Creek. The lookout has a short stone wall and great views across the Jamison Valley. The center piece of the view is out to Mount Solitary and beyond, there are also good views to Kings Tableland (left). This is a good spot to stop and enjoy the sweeping views of the majestic valley.

Moderate track

Continue straight: From Breakfast Point Lookout, this walk follows the old ‘Undercliff walk’ sign east, keeping the main valley view to the right. The track meanders for a little while before heading down some steps (around some large boulders) before coming to an intersection where the walk turns left. (The right-hand track heads down to the Lady Sees lookout with a fence in disrepair, currently closed). About 100m later, the clear track leads down to a signposted intersection with the ‘Den Fenella’ track just before the footbridge.

Hard track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Den Fenella’ sign along the lower track, keeping the creek to the left. The track soon begins to go down very steeply (can be slippery) between the handrails and rock wall. The track then crosses the creek at the stepping stones below the cascades (the creek may be impassable after rain). On the other side of the creek, the walk heads down the steps to come to a bridge below the bigger Den Fenella Fall.
From the Den Fenella Fall, this walk crosses the metal bridge and continues along the cliff edge along the fence-lined track. After heading down some steps, the track ends at a fenced point with great views across the valley. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Veer right.

Den Fenella Lookout

The Den Fenella Lookout is a small fenced lookout on a cliff ledge, near where Den Fenella Creek falls into the Jamison Valley. The lookout is at the end of the track and has a tall cliff above and below. There is a small tree on the ledge adding to the sense of depth. From here, there are great views to Mount Solitary (middle), Kings Tableland (left), Narrow Neck Plateau (far right) and Sublime Point (right). This is a great spot, well worth a visit.

Moderate track

Veer left: From the intersection, this walk crosses over Den Fenella Creek using the bridge and comes to an intersection with the ‘Undercliff Walk’.Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Undercliff Walk’ sign, initially following the creek on the right, downstream. The track heads up a small set of steps and then tends left (revealing valley views on the right). Soon after passing a rock wall (on the left), the track goes through a muddy section and continues, passing some more large boulders. Soon the track passes another great rock wall (on the left) with fantastic valley views and an old wire fence. The walk then crosses a small metal bridge and comes to an overhang with a constructed stone wall.
From this overhang, the walk continues around the valley to soon come to a fenced (unnamed) lookout with great views. From the lookout, this walk heads back into the bush, across a small metal bridge and then soon comes to a three-way intersection with ‘Princes Rock’ track on the left (and a sign pointing back to the ‘Valley of the Waters’).

Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the ‘Wentworth Falls’ sign along the ‘Undercliff Walk’. The track is initially flat, then soon heads down some steps and passes under a large overhang. After the overhang, the walk heads down some steps, turns left and comes to an intersection (with a track on the right) at the start of another large overhang. (The lower right-hand track heads down to Eagles Nest Lookout.)
From the intersection, this walk heads under the overhang (keeping the rock face on the left). At the other end of the overhang, the track turns left and then passes along another rock wall before coming to a large dead tree and some great valley views.
From this view, keeping the rock face on the left, this walk heads under three significant and low overhangs (be sure to duck), each with wide sweeping right-hand bends. The last overhang has timber blocks on the floor. Soon after the last overhang, the track comes to a four-way intersection, with ‘Fletchers Lookout’ a short distance to the right.

Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Fletcher Lookout’ sign down the steps. The fenced and signposted lookout has three main bays, two on the left (with views of Wentworth Falls) and a third down the steps, looking into the valley. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Continue straight.

Fletchers Lookout

Fletchers Lookout is a fenced and signposted lookout off the side of the Undercliff Walk, just north of the Wentworth Falls. The lookout provides a fairly close view of the top of Wentworth Falls and a great view into the Jamison Valley. There is a good distant view of Mount Solitary and Narrow Neck, and also great views of the surrounding escarpments.

(2.22km) Int of Undercliff and Fletchers Lookout Tracks → Top of Wentworth Falls

90 m

2 mins

3m

-3m

Moderate track

Turn left : From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Wentworth Falls’ and ‘to National Pass’ signs down the gentle steps (with the main valley view to the right). The track soon comes to a three-way intersection, with a sign pointing back to ‘Undercliff Track’.Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Wentworth Falls’ and ‘Wentworth Pass’ signs down the steps. The track soon comes to a nice view of Jamison Creek, where it continues to wind down the hill and open up at a fenced rock platform at the top of Wentworth Falls. Here the walk crosses Jamison Creek using the stepping stones, to reveal a lovely waterhole and Queen’s Cascades(the creek may be impassable after rain). This is the top of the Wentworth Falls. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn right.

Queen’s Cascades

Queen’s Cascades[1] are a lovely set of falls on the Jamison Creek at the top of Wentworth Falls. The creek heads down the wide, two-stage cascades into a sandy pool. From the pool, the water flows between the stepping stones, under the fence and down the very tall Wentworth Falls. There are also great views to Sublime Point across the valley.

Moderate track

Turn left : From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Wentworth Falls Picnic area’ sign up the steps, away from ‘Fletchers Lookout’. Soon the track comes to a ‘T’ intersection, with a sign pointing back to ‘Wentworth Falls’.

Easy track

Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Wentworth Falls Picnic Area’ sign up the log steps. The track soon passes some views to the left and then comes to an intersection (at a sharp right-hand bend), with a track closed at the time of writing. Here there is a sign pointing back to ‘Wentworth Falls – National Pass’.

(2.45km) Int with old Lookout track → Wentworth Falls Lookout

150 m

4 mins

29m

0m

Easy track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads up the steps, following ‘Wentworth Falls Picnic Area’ signs. The walk soon heads through a sharp left bend, then continues up the hill, passing several information signs. At the top of the steps, the track breaks out to Wentworth Falls Lookout on Sir H. Burrell Drive.

Wentworth Falls Lookout

Wentworth Falls Lookout, in the Blue Mountains National Park, is beside Sir H Burrell Drive. The lookout is fenced and has a large information sign about the area. There are some bench seats and great vistas. There is a view to Wentworth Falls (in the valley to the left), but the most captivating view is across the Jamison Valley to Mount Solitary. There are also great views of the Kings Tableland (left), Sublime Point (right) and Narrow Neck (far right) escarpments. This is a great place to enjoy the scope of this World Heritage listed area.

Moderate track

Turn right: From the lookout, this walk crosses Sir H Burrell Dr and heads straight up the log steps. The track soon starts to flatten out but continues gently uphill. The track then opens up to a clearing and an old picnic shelter at the intersection of Falls Rd and Burrell Dr, Wentworth Falls. This is just at the entrance to Wentworth Falls Lookout Picnic Area.

Easy track

Veer left: From the main entrance to Wentworth Falls Picnic Area (at the intersection of Falls Rd and Sir H Burrell Dr), this walk follows the small ‘Pedestrian access to picnic area’ sign (keeping the road up to the right). The track soon passes a sandstone pillar marking an old lookout (still has some views). The track continues down the hill to open up into the Wentworth Falls Picnic Area.

(2.86km) The Falls Picnic Area → Sir H. Burrell Drive Carpark (Nth)

100 m

2 mins

0m

-7m

Easy track

Continue straight: From Wentworth Falls Picnic Area, this walk heads past the toilets and then down the steps,coming to the car park on Sir H. Burrell Dr.

Wentworth Falls Picnic Area

The Wentworth Falls Picnic Area is in the Blue Mountains National Park on Sir H Burrell Drive (Wentworth Falls). The picnic area is host to a couple of wonderful lookouts and some good facilities. A large car park, toilets (wheelchair accessible), picnic tables, free electric BBQs, town water and information signs. This is a great spot to relax between walks in the area.

Easy track

Veer right: From the ‘Short Cut Track’ sign in the Sir H. Burell Drive car park, this walk follows the sign to ‘Conservation Hut’. The wide track soon turns left and winds through the bush, tending to the left – there are a number of anti-erosion systems in place to step over. In time, the track comes to a four-way intersection intersection, signposted as the ways to ‘Conservation Hut’, ‘Breakfast Pt LO’ or up ‘to Murphys Lane.

Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk heads north-west along the flat bush track following the signs to Conservation Hut. Soon the track comes to an intersection with another track (on the left).

(3.69km) Int of Shortcut and Lyrebird Lookout Tracks → Int of Valley of the Waters Track and Shortcut Track

250 m

6 mins

15m

-11m

Easy track

Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk heads north along the ‘Shortcut’ track, heading away from Wentworth Falls picnic area. Soon the track turns left and crosses a small creek using a bridge. From the creek, the track gradually heads up the hill via log steps. Soon the walk comes to a ‘T’ intersection where there are several signs, including one pointing up towards ‘Conservation Hut’ and another down to the ‘Valley of the Waters’.

Easy track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads up the steps towards the building. The walk passes a couple of picnic shelters (on the right) before coming to the road and the front of the ‘Conservation Hut’.

Maps for the Overcliff-Undercliff Track walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Overcliff-Undercliff Track

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

Length

4 km

Time

2 hrs

.

Grade 3/6

Moderate track

AS 2156.1

Gradient

Short steep hills (3/6)

Quality of track

Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)

Signs

Directional signs along the way (3/6)

Experience Required

Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)

Weather

Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)

Infrastructure

Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

1.8km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 1.4km has short steep hills. The remaining (730m) is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

2.2km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 1.3km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles. The remaining (440m) follows a smooth and hardened path.

Signs

Around 2.9km of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 1.1km has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required

Around 2.8km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 1.2km requires some bushwalking experience.

weather

Around 3.3km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 640m is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.

Infrastructure

Around 2.1km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 1.9km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Overcliff-Undercliff Track walk.

Fire Danger

http://new.wildwalks.com/wildwalks_custom/includes/walk_fire_danger.php?walkid=nsw-bmnp-ouc
Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information.